‘Carol’ Leads the Top 30 LGBT Films of All-Time, According to BFI Poll

“Todd Haynes‘ filmography is often overwhelming in its intellectual acumen and emotional devastation,” we noted upon the release of his latest film this past fall. “This is true of Carol, which is at once a return to the deconstruction of femininity, social mores, and mild anarchy of privilege, as well as an honest and heartbreaking story about falling in love and the trepidation therein.” Over 100 film experts, ranging from critics to writers to programmers, agree on the emotional power of the drama, as they’ve voted it the best LGBT film of all-time.

Conducted by BFI ahead of the 30th BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival, they note this is the “first major critical survey of LGBT films.” Speaking about leading the poll, Haynes said, “I’m so proud to have Carol voted as the top LGBT film of all time in this poll launched for the Fest’s 30th edition. Carol is in illustrious company with so many films I love, from Brokeback Mountain and Un Chant d’ Amourto Happy Together and My Own Private Idaho.” Indeed, it’s a wonderfully wide-ranging list, from another 2015 feature, Tangerine, to early groundbreaking works such as Mädchen in Uniform, as well some personal favorites from Claire Denis, Pedro Almodóvar, Sidney Lumet, and David Lynch.

Check out the full list below and for individual ballots and much more, head over to BFI.